Candidates Have To Pay Up To Stay In Races

Lake - In Brief

June 22, 2004

TAVARES -- Ten of the 24 candidates running for County Commission, sheriff, School Board and school superintendent failed to turn in qualifying petitions by Monday's deadline.

Now, the candidates have to fork over between $1,266.92 and $7,357.80 by noon July 16. Qualifying runs from noon July 12 through noon July 16. The fees are based on a percentage of the salary each job pays.

Only Keith Farner, one of three Republicans seeking the District 3 County Commission seat, turned in the required 1,412 signatures. Incumbent Debbie Stivender and Robert Moore, who just recently filed, both have to ante up $3,810.06.

County Commissioner Welton Cadwell, seeking re-election to his District 5 seat, will also be paying. His Republican challenger, James Todd, turned in the necessary petitions, as did District 1 County Commissioner Jennifer Hill, a Republican currently not being challenged.

Of the 10 running for sheriff, all but Andres Obregon Jr. and Douglas Rehman Sr. turned in qualifying signatures. Obregon, a Republican, must pay $7,357.80 but Rehman must pay only $4,905.20 because he is running nonpartisan.

Two of the four candidates seeking the superintendent of schools office will have to pay the $6,886.26 qualifying fee -- the only Democrat running for superintendent of schools, Christine Harris, and state Sen. Anna Cowin, R-Leesburg.

None of the School Board candidates seeking the District 4 seat turned in signatures and will have to pay $1,266.92 to qualify. Incumbent Scott Strong filed petitions for his District 2 seat in which he currently has no challengers.